Week 7: Fungi and Parasites Flashcards
(47 cards)
When was the The Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of
Hookworm Disease?
1909
What organisms are key contributors to human infections?
Eukaryotic organisms such as fungi, protozoa, and parasites.
How do Eukaryotic organisms differ from bacteria and viruses?
Their structure, their life cycles, and their interactions with human hosts.
Ex. Cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus, and organisms can be unicellular or multicellular
What are Fungi?
A diverse group of organisms that can range from unicellular yeasts to multicellular filamentous moulds and even large mushrooms
What is Candida albicans?
A naturally occurring fungus (yeast) that is typically found in small amounts on the human body
What sort of infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans?
Thrush
Vaginal yeast infection
Invasive candidiasis
What is Aspergillus?
Filamentous fungi found in soil and in decaying/moist vegetation
How many species of Aspergillus exist?
~180 species
Which Aspergillus species most commonly causes infections?
Aspergillus fumigatus
How do species of Aspergillus infect a person?
Through the lungs, sinuses, or burn wounds
Do most people who come into contact with Aspergillus spores get sick?
No
What is Coccidioidomycosis?
A fungal illness known as Valley Fever
How far can Coccidioidomycosis spores travel?
> 500 km in the wind
Who can Coccidioidomycosis infect?
Mostly humans, but also animals
What are the symptoms of a Coccidioidomycosis infection?
Similar to a respiratory infection (cough, fever, chest pain, fatigue).
What are Cryptococcus?
Cryptococcus species are
environmental fungi primarily found in tree hollows and avian excreta, with C. neoformans being
globally distributed and C. gattii more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.
How does an infection of Crytococcus occur?
Infection typically occurs through the inhalation of fungal spores or desiccated cells (dried out) from the environment, leading to pulmonary infections that can disseminate to the central nervous system (CNS), especially in immunocompromised individuals.
What is Pneumocystis jirovecii?
An opportunistic disease caused by the unicellular fungus
What is a parasite?
A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from that host, though this eukaryotic species is different from bacteria, viruses, and fungi
What are some types of parasites that impact human health?
- Protozoa
- Helminths such as nematodes (roundworms)
trematodes (flukes)
cestodes (tapeworms) - Ectoparasites (bed bugs)
- Ticks
What are Protozoa?
Single-celled organisms that can multiply to cause
serious infection
What are the 2 routes of transmission for Protozoa?
Fecel-oral
Vectors (mosquitoes)
What are some common Protozoan infections?
Cytosporidiosis
Giardiasis
Toxoplasmosis
Trichomoniasis
What is Giardasis?
An enteric disease
that is caused by the parasite Giardia